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*hb0293*
HOUSE BILL 293
F1 6lr0308
(PRE–FILED) CF SB 56
By: Chair, Ways and Means Committee (By Request – Departmental – Maryland
Longitudinal Data System Center)
Requested: October 1, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Ways and Means
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 3, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center – External Data Sharing With 2
Third–Party Data Centers for Multistate Reporting – Authorization 3
FOR the purpose of authorizing the Governing Board of the Maryland Longitudinal Data 4
System Center to provide certain student and workforce data to a third –party data 5
center under certain circumstances; requiring each third–party data center to agree 6
to comply with certain requirements relating to the data the center receives; 7
requiring the Center to enter into a written data sha ring agreement with certain 8
third–party data centers; repealing the Governing Board’s power to authorize the 9
sharing of data with the U.S. Census Bureau under certain circumstances; and 10
generally relating to the authority of the Maryland Longitudinal Data System 11
Center to share data externally. 12
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
Article – Education 14
Section 24–703(a) and 24–704(a) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Education 19
Section 24–703(f) and 24–704(g) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
2 HOUSE BILL 293
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 1
BY repealing 2
Article – Education 3
Section 24–703.2(e) 4
Annotated Code of Maryland 5
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 6
BY adding to 7
Article – Education 8
Section 24–703.4 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 11
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 12
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 13
Article – Education 14
24–703. 15
(a) There is a Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center. 16
(f) The Center shall perform the following functions and duties: 17
(1) Serve as a central repository of student data and workforce data in the 18
Maryland Longitudinal Data System, including data sets provided by: 19
(i) The State Department of Education; 20
(ii) Local education agencies; 21
(iii) The Maryland Higher Education Commission; 22
(iv) Institutions of higher education; 23
(v) The Maryland Department of Labor; 24
(vi) The Department of Juvenile Services; and 25
(vii) The Social Services Administration within the Department of 26
Human Services; 27
(2) Oversee and maintain the warehouse of the Maryland Longitudinal 28
Data System data sets; 29
HOUSE BILL 293 3
(3) Ensure routine and ongoing compliance with the federal Family 1
Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other relevant privacy laws and policies, including: 2
(i) The required use of de –identified data in data research and 3
reporting; 4
(ii) The required disposition of information that is no longer needed; 5
(iii) Providing data security, including the capacity for audit trails; 6
(iv) Providing for performance of regular audits for compliance with 7
data privacy and security standards; and 8
(v) Implementing guidelines and policies that prevent the reporting 9
of other potentially identifying data; 10
(4) Conduct research using timely and accurate student data and 11
workforce data to improve the State’s education system and guide decision making by State 12
and local governments, educational agencies, institutions, teachers, and other education 13
professionals; 14
(5) Conduct research relating to: 15
(i) The impact of State and federal education programs; 16
(ii) The performance of educator preparation programs; 17
(iii) Best practices regarding classroom instruction, education 18
programs and curriculum, and segment alignment; and 19
(iv) The impact child welfare programs have on the educational and 20
economic outcomes of students; 21
(6) At the direction of the Accounta bility and Implementation Board 22
established in Title 5, Subtitle 4 of this article provide: 23
(i) A researcher designated by the Board access to the data in the 24
Maryland Longitudinal Data System in accordance with the procedures for staff 25
authorization and data access established by the Maryland Longitudinal Data System 26
governing board; 27
(ii) Aggregate data tables; or 28
(iii) Research or evaluation; 29
4 HOUSE BILL 293
(7) Analyze social determinants from the following State agencies and 1
appropriate local agencies that impact the education performance of students and indicate 2
the need for wraparound services of students: 3
(i) The Maryland Department of Health; 4
(ii) The Department of Juvenile Services; and 5
(iii) The Department of Human Services; 6
(8) To the extent practicable, conduct longitudinal studies of the items 7
under this section to evaluate the impact of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future on the 8
State; 9
(9) SHARE DATA WITH THIRD –PARTY DATA CENTERS O NLY IN 10
ACCORDANCE WITH § 24–703.4 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 11
[(9)] (10) Fulfill information and data requests to facilitate State and 12
federal education reporting with existing State agencies as appropriate; and 13
[(10)] (11) Fulfill approved public information requests. 14
24–703.2. 15
[(e) The Governing Board may authorize the Center to send student information 16
to the United States Census Bureau.] 17
24–703.4. 18
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 19
INDICATED. 20
(2) “FEDRAMP” MEANS THE FEDERAL RISK AND AUTHORIZATION 21
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM M ANAGED BY THE U.S. GENERAL SERVICES 22
ADMINISTRATION. 23
(3) “THIRD–PARTY DATA CENTER ” MEANS A SECURE 24
COMPUTATIONAL RESEARCH PLATFORM MANAGED BY A PERSON OTHER TH AN A 25
STATE AGENCY THAT ALLOWS STATES TO SECURELY SHARE DATA FOR PURPOSES OF 26
DATA MATCHING AND MULTISTATE REPORTING. 27
(B) (1) SUBJECT TO THE REQUIR EMENTS OF THIS SECTI ON, THE 28
GOVERNING BOARD MAY AUTHORIZE THE CENTER TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL–LEVEL 29
STUDENT DATA AND IND IVIDUAL–LEVEL WORKFORCE DATA TO A THIRD –PARTY 30
HOUSE BILL 293 5
DATA CENTER ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FACILITATING MULTISTATE RESEARCH 1
AND REPORTING ON STUDENT OUTCOMES. 2
(2) THE GOVERNING BOARD MAY AUTHORIZE THE SHARING OF DATA 3
UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION ONLY WITH ONE THIRD–PARTY DATA 4
CENTER AT A TIME. 5
(C) (1) BEFORE AUTHORIZING TH E CENTER TO PROVIDE DATA TO A 6
THIRD–PARTY DATA CENTER , THE GOVERNING BOARD SHALL ENSURE TH AT THE 7
THIRD–PARTY DATA CENTER: 8
(I) HAS DATA HANDLING AND SECURITY STANDARDS THAT ARE 9
AT LEAST AS RIGOROUS AS THOSE EMPLOYED BY THE CENTER; 10
(II) IS A FEDRAMP–AUTHORIZED AND –CERTIFIED PLATFORM; 11
(III) USES PERSONALLY IDENT IFIABLE INFORMATION ONLY TO 12
THE EXTENT THAT IS NECESSARY FOR MATCHING STUDENT DATA AND WORKFORCE 13
DATA WITH DATA FROM OTHER STATES; 14
(IV) EMPLOYS PRIVACY–ENHANCING TECHNIQUES, INCLUDING 15
DATA HA SHING, IN PLACE OF PERSONAL LY IDENTIFIABLE DATA WHENEVER 16
APPROPRIATE; 17
(V) USES ONLY DE –IDENTIFIED DATA FOR ANALYTIC 18
PURPOSES; 19
(VI) RELEASES ONLY AGGREGATE DATA IN REPORTS AND OTHER 20
OUTPUT; AND 21
(VII) DOES NOT REPORT DATA IN ANY FORM THAT MAY BE USED 22
TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDU ALS BASED ON THE SIZ E OR UNIQUENESS OF T HE 23
POPULATION UNDER CONSIDERATION. 24
(2) BEFORE PROVIDING ANY DATA TO A THIRD–PARTY DATA CENTER, 25
THE CENTER SHALL ENTER IN TO A WRITTEN DATA SH ARING AGREEMENT WITH A 26
THIRD–PARTY DATA CENTER, IN WHICH THE THIRD –PARTY DATA CENTER AG REES 27
TO COMPLY WITH: 28
(I) THE CONDITIONS LISTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 29
SUBSECTION; 30
6 HOUSE BILL 293
(II) STATE AND FEDERAL LAW S RELATING TO DATA P RIVACY; 1
AND 2
(III) ANY OTHER CRITERIA TH E GOVERNING BOARD 3
DETERMINES ARE APPROPRIATE. 4
(3) EACH YEAR , THE GOVERNING BOARD SHALL REVIEW EACH AN 5
AUTHORIZED DATA SHARING AGREEMENT TO ENSURE THAT TH E USE OF STUDENT 6
DATA AND WORKFORCE D ATA BY THE THIRD –PARTY DATA CENTER RE MAINS 7
COMPLIANT WITH THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT. 8
(D) BEFORE PROVIDING ANY DATA TO A THIRD –PARTY DATA CENTER, THE 9
GOVERNING BOARD SHALL AFFIRMATIVELY APPROVE: 10
(1) THE SHARING OF THE DA TA ELEMENTS THAT CONSTITUTE EACH 11
DATA SET; 12
(2) THE SHARING OF EACH DATA SET; AND 13
(3) EACH PROPOSED RESEARC H OR REPOR TING PROJECT THAT 14
SEEKS TO USE MARYLAND DATA. 15
(E) (1) WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER ENTERING INTO A WRITTEN DATA 16
SHARING AGREEMENT WITH A THIRD –PARTY DATA CENTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH 17
THIS SECTION, THE CENTER SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE 18
ON EDUCATION, ENERGY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE HOUSE WAYS AND 19
MEANS COMMITTEE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 20
ARTICLE, THAT INCLUDES: 21
(I) THE NAME OF THE THIRD–PARTY DATA CENTER; 22
(II) A SUMMARY OF THE DATA TO BE SHARED; AND 23
(III) THE PURPOSE OF AND VALUE TO THE STATE FOR ENTERING 24
INTO THE DATA SHARING AGREEMENT. 25
(2) WITHIN 1 YEAR OF THE DATE THE REPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) 26
OF THIS SUBSECTION W AS SUBMITTED AND EAC H YEAR THEREAFTER UN TIL THE 27
DATA SHARING AGREEMENT IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT, THE CENTER SHALL SUBMIT 28
A REPORT TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, ENERGY, AND THE 29
ENVIRONMENT AND THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, IN ACCORDANCE 30
WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THAT DESCRIBES: 31
(I) THE STATUS OF THE DATA SHARING AGREEMENT; 32
HOUSE BILL 293 7
(II) HOW THE DATA IS BEING USED TO FURTHER THE PURPOSES 1
AND STATED VALUE OF THE DATA SHARING AGREEMENT; AND 2
(III) ANY VIOLATIONS OF THE DATA SHARING AGREEME NT, IF 3
ANY, AND STEPS TAKEN TO REMEDY THE VIOLATIONS. 4
24–704. 5
(a) There is a Governing Board of the Center. 6
(g) The Governing Board shall: 7
(1) Establish the organizational placement and location of the Center after 8
seeking and evaluating proposals from interested entities based on criteria that shall 9
include: 10
(i) The ability of the entity to support the operation of a large data 11
system; 12
(ii) Strength of funding support; and 13
(iii) Expertise in data security; 14
(2) Develop an implementation plan to phase in the establishment and 15
operation of the Maryland Longitudinal Data System and the Center; 16
(3) Provide general oversight and direction to the Center; 17
(4) Approve the annual budget for the Center; 18
(5) Establish the policy and research agenda of the Center; 19
(6) Before the incorporation of any individual data in the Maryland 20
Longitudinal Data System: 21
(i) Create an inventory of the individual student data: 22
1. Proposed to be maintained in the system; and 23
2. Required to be reported by State and federal education 24
mandates; 25
(ii) Develop and implement policies to comply with the federal 26
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and any other privacy measures, as required 27
by law or the Governing Board; and 28
8 HOUSE BILL 293
(iii) Develop a detailed data security and safeguarding plan that 1
includes: 2
1. Authorized access and authentication for authorized 3
access; 4
2. Privacy compliance standards; 5
3. Privacy and security audits; 6
4. Breach notification and procedures; and 7
5. Data retention and disposition policies; 8
(7) APPROVE DATA SHARING WITH THIRD–PARTY DATA CENTERS I N 9
ACCORDANCE WITH § 24–703.4 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 10
[(7)] (8) Oversee routine and ongoing compliance with the federal Family 11
Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other relevant privacy laws and policies; 12
[(8)] (9) Ensure that any contracts that govern databases that are 13
outsourced to private vendors include express provisions that safeguard privacy and 14
security and include penalties for noncompliance; 15
[(9)] (10) Designate a standard and compliance timeline for electronic 16
transcripts that includes the use of SASID to ensure the uniform and efficient transfer of 17
student data between local education agencies and institutions of higher education; and 18
[(10)] (11) Review research requirements and set policies for the approval 19
of data requests from State and local agencies, the Maryland General Assembly, and the 20
public. 21
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 22
1, 2026. 23
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.